"Nelson provides a groundbreaking account of Brazilian theories and practices of abstraction. By detailing how the emerging museums, biennials, artists, art collectives, and art press maneuvered across the political chessboard of the mid-century, Forming Abstraction offers a major contribution to the oft misunderstood role of abstraction in the art and politics of the Cold War."--Esther Gabara, author and curator of Pop América, 1965-1975
"Nelson brings new archives, actors, and objects to light in this deeply researched study of post-war abstraction and institution building in Brazil. She reveals the political stakes of varied approaches to form, reframing the internationalism of concretismo within local debates over technology and progress, citizenship and alterity, and the nation's modernist genealogy."--Mary K. Coffey, Professor of Art History, Dartmouth College "Nelson brings a refreshing new perspective on abstract art in Brazil. Through meticulous research and rich data, she presents an innovative historical understanding of the introduction of abstractionism in Brazilian art, highlighting the cultural discourse defending abstract art and the modern institutions recently created in Brazil. A must-read for anyone interested in Brazilian modern art and art systems!"--Vera Beatriz Siqueira, Professor of Art History, Rio de Janeiro State University